Their moms, dads or both are behind bars. What happens to the children of the people who crowd our jails and prisons? Here you will hear the children answer that question in their voices. They discuss their needs, challenges, successes.

Too often, when parents are imprisoned, their children are left confused and pained. Our network provides opportunities for these children to be cared, supported, and inspired by responsible adults, helping professionals, and others in their communities.

When policy makers discuss prison reform, they typically talk about the public’s safety. The conversation is rarely about the struggles of those who lose a parent to a prison sentence. There’s nearly two million children of prisoners in the U.S., many grappling with problems like depression.

Many children of prisoners are growing up without the benefits of guidance from reliable adults. Our mentoring initiatives match children with caring adults to improve academics, behavior, and family relationships.

More than 300,000 children in Florida have an incarcerated parent. For many children, having a parent in jail or prison often results in school behavior and performance problems, as well as social and institutional stigma and shame.

Our staff and network of faith-based and professional organizations reintroduce children to their incarcerated parents, create positive memories and moments for the children, and facilitate rebuilding lasting bonds for a lifetime. Our focus is raising children to be happy, healthy and productive citizens.

We coordinate wrap-around services, conduct Bonding Visits, and advocate for stronger policies to strengthen the bond between children and their incarcerated parents and mitigate the trauma caused by the separation.

The Service Network for Children of Inmate is funded by the Children's Trust of Miami-Dade. The Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.